Apparatus and method for data and/or command input and display in a battery charger and/or tester

• US 20040000913A1
• Filed: 09/06/2002
• Published: 01/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: GSLE Subco, LLC (SPX Corporation)
• Inventors: Raichle, Kurt, Krampitz, Scott
• Granted Patent: US 6,825,669 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/426
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4285 Testing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/44 Methods for charging or discharging circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A method and apparatus for data and command input and display in a battery charger and/or tester includes an alphanumeric keypad and alphanumeric display, as well as menu display and menu selection keys.

Claims

1. A device for at least one of charging and testing a battery, comprising:

a controller that controls the charging and/or testing operation;

a processor that processes menu commands;

a display that displays menu commands; and

an alphanumeric keypad to input information.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the display comprises a multi-line alphanumeric display.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the alphanumeric keypad comprises at least nine digit keys.

4. A device according to claim 1, further comprising at least a pair of scroll keys that scroll through menu commands.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the display comprises a multi-line alphanumeric display and a plurality of on-off LED displays.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the display comprises an LCD display.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the alphanumeric keypad comprises a touch sensitive membrane keypad.

8. A device for at least one of charging and testing a battery, comprising:

means for controlling the charging and/or testing operation;

means for processing menu commands;

means for displaying menu commands; and

means for inputting information.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the displaying means comprises a multi-line alphanumeric display.

10. A device according to claim 8, wherein the means for inputting is an alphanumeric keypad.

11. A device according to claim 8, further comprising at least a pair of scroll keys that scroll through menu commands.

12. A device according to claim 8, wherein the displaying means comprises a multi-line alphanumeric display and a plurality of on-off LED displays.

13. A device according to claim 8, wherein the displaying means comprises an LCD display.

14. A device according to claim 8, wherein the means for inputting comprises a touch sensitive membrane keypad.

15. A method for at least one of charging and testing a battery, comprising:

inputting the information via an alphanumeric keypad into a battery charger;

processing the inputted information;

displaying menu commands; and

selecting menu commands to operate the charger.

16. A device according to claim 15, wherein the displaying step is performed by a multi-line alphanumeric display.

17. A device according to claim 15, wherein the selecting step is performed by operating an at least nine digit keys.

18. A device according to claim 15, further wherein the selecting step is performed by at least a pair of scroll keys that scroll through menu commands.

19. A device according to claim 15, wherein the displaying step is performed by a multi-line alphanumeric display and a plurality of on-off LED displays.

20. A device according to claim 15, wherein the displaying step is performed by an LCD display.

21. A device according to claim 15, wherein the inputting step is performed by operating an at least nine digit alphanumeric keypad.